Washing machine



Oct. 15 1940. T. F. RATAICZAK El AL 2,217,705

WASHING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR m M F1 BY M6. 7

ATTO R N EYJ 0a. 15 1940. T. F. RATAICZAK El AL 2,217,705

WASHING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVEN TO ATTORN EYSPatented Oct. 15, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINEApplication May 5, 1937, Serial No. 140,846

12 Claims.

This invention relates to washing devices.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a washing devicefor dishes and the like in which the articles are subjected to predeter-5 mined conditions of washing which are controlled with reference tosecuring'desired cleanliness and sterility.

It is a further object to provide a washing device of this character inwhich a predetermined time of washing is required and in whichpredetermined temperature conditions are maintained during the washingoperation.

It is a further object to provide a device of this character adapted toreceive and wash articles and in which the washing operation wheninitiated is required to be continued for a predetermined period of timeand under controlled temperature conditions such as to provide a highlyeffective and substantially sterilizing washing no operation.

from the description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings- Fig. l is a view in side elevation with parts brokenaway, of a washing machine constructed in accordance with the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a detail elevational view showing the control mechanism foroperating the wash valve and the rinse valve.

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing interlocking action secured as betweenclosure members on the washing device and control handle for controllingthe washing operation;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the control compartment with the top coverremoved therefrom;

Fig. 5 is a schematic and diagrammatic representation of the controlcircuits and interlock mechanism for use in the invention; and 40 Fig. 6is a schematic wiring diagram showing a modified form of the invention.

In the washing of articles, more particularly the washing of dishes andthe like, it has been determined that the effectiveness of the washingoperation varies materially with the conditions under which theoperation is conducted. This is especially important in the handling andwashing of dishes for foodstuffs where the maintenance of sanitary andsterile conditions is necessary. vIt 50 has been found that where theconditions of the washing operation are controlled within predeterminedranges, a surprising improvement in the sterility conditions of thewashed dishes results, actual bacterial determinations showing that thenumber of bacteria remaining on the dishes is Other objects andadvantages will be apparent very sharply diminished when the washing iscarried out under properly controlled conditions as described herein.With a machine having a substantially constant rate of flow of washfluid it has been determined that the desired superior results inrespect to effectiveness of wash and sterility are secured where thewashing operation is conducted under controlled conditions of minimumtemperature of washing fluid and minimum time of continuance of thewashing operation. Where these conditions of the washing operation aremaintained, a decided improvement in the bacteria condition on thewashed articles results, in comparison with washing operations conductedindeterminately as regards the time and temperature conditions.

While it is not practicable to express such conditions in terms ofmeasurements which are universally applicable to all fields of washing,it may be stated, by way of example, that in the washing of dishes forexample in hospitals it has been found that the temperature shouldpreferably be maintained at or above 160 F., and that the time of thewashing operation at such temperature should be of the order ofsubstantially a minute. A series of washing operations conducted over arange of varying conditions indicated a sharp reduction in the bacterialconditions on the washed dishes where the temperature of the wash waterwas maintained in the range described and where the time of wash was ofthe proper duration, the failure to wash under these conditionsresulting in marked increase in the bacteria remaining on the dishes.Further increase in the time and temperature conditions above thepredetermined controlled ranges indicated appeared to result in only asmall or disproportionate improvement in 'sterility.' While theseconditions will vary with difierent fields and conditions of use,nevertheless in order to secure the desired results in sterility of thewashed articles, it is highly important that the washing operations beconducted under suitably controlled conditions of time and temperature.And similarly in other fields relating to the washing of articlesgenerally, in order to secure the most eflicient and eifective operationof the washing device, certain predetermined conditions of temperatureof wash liquid and of time of continuance of washing operation should beobserved.

In accordance with the present invention a washing machine is providedfor the reception of articles to be washed, with provisionfor conductingthe washing operation under predetermined controlled conditions such asto secure the desired effectiveness in results and cleanliness andsterility of the washed articles. The invention provides for a washingoperation to be conducted only when the temperature of the wash water isin excess of a desired minimum for the particular condition of use; andthe washing operation is required to be maintained, using such washwater of controlled temperature for a period of time which is likewisecontrolled in reference to the particular conditions of use, so thatcombined control of temperature and time of washing are secured, therebyproviding for securing the desired results in the final washed articles.

Referring to the drawings which discloses a preferred embodiment of theinvention, there is illustrated at I0 a washing machine having aplurality of doors ll thereon, providing access into the interior of theWashing chamber I2. In a machine of this construction one door may beraised to provide for the entrance of a rack containing the dishes orarticles to be washed, another door providing for withdrawal thereofafter the termination of the washing operation. Preferably the machineis provided with three doors on its three sides to permit adaptation toa variety of uses and locations.

The washing mechanism includes a sump I5 for collection of wash water,from which it is supplied to the rotary pump I 6, the pump being drivenby an electric motor IT. The water is delivered by the pump throughcontrol valve I 8 and into a header H! which provides for rotatablysupporting a rotary wash arm 20, positioned beneath the frame 2| forholding the racks of dishes. Preferably a similar rotary wash arm isprovided above the washing chamber l2, being supplied by a branch pipe22 also under the control of valve l8.

Control handle 25 provides for controlling the washing operation, beinglocated at the upper portion of the device, and having means forsecuring interlocking action of the doors, to prevent undesired openingthereof during the washing operation. This control handle is carried bya shaft 26, suitably mounted at 21 and extending below the washingchamber I2 to a point adjacent the valve l8. A linkage mechanism 28 isprovided for connecting the shaft 26 with rotatable valve stem 29, tothereby secure operation of the valve in response to the movement ofhandle 25.

Handle 25 is provided with a disk-like part 30 having a pair ofrectangular slots 3| formed therein at right angles to each, other, andin position to receive, respectively, the edges of door members II whenin alignment therewith. These slots are so related with respect tohandle 25 that when the handle is in its neutral or off position(indicated in dotted lines by N, Fig. 3) closing valve l8, the slots 3|are in alignment with, and above the edges of the two door members ll,so that in this position either or both of the doors can be freelyraised to provide access to the interior of the washing compartment. Andwhen either door is raised it passes upwardly through its associatedslot 31 thereby locking the control handle in such off position andpreventing unintentional operation of the handle to cause thecommencement of the washing operation with the doors raised. When bothdoors are closed handle 25 may then be freely moved to the positionindicated by reference numeral W in Fig. 3, in which position the valve18 is actuated to open position, supplying washing fluid from the pumpto the headers l9 and 22, thereby securing the washing action. In suchposition, neither door II can be raised and thus access is prevented tothe interior of the washing chamber in such position.

Means are likewise provided to secure fresh water rinse of the washedarticles, the washing chamber being provided with a fresh water rinseline 35, and a control valve 36 therefor for controlling the supply ofwater to the rinse line 31, which extends to and is suitably disposedwithin the washing compartment to provide for the application of upperand lower rinsing sprays to the washed dishes. Control mem ber 25islikewise arranged to provide for control'of the rinsing operation, andis capable of movement from neutral position into the rinse positionindicated by R in Fig. 3. In such position shaft 26, carrying a crank 40upon which is mounted a roller 4|, is caused to rotate to bring roller4| into contact with lever arm 42 pivotally mounted at 43, and carryinga plunger 44 upon its other end. Plunger 44 is adapted to be broughtinto operating contact with the valve stem 45 of rinse valve 36, andresilient means 46 permits travel of lever 42 without injury to thevalve stem. A flow of fresh hot rinsing water thus continues as long asthe control handle is held in the rinse position, usually only a fewseconds rinsing operation being required. Yieldable means are preferablyprovided for returning control handle 25 from the rinse position toneutral position. The action of interlocking the doorstakes placesimilarly during the rinsing operation to that described above, as willbe evident from the structure of the parts disclosed. Control of therinsing action as regards time, or temperature, or both, similar inconstruction and function to that described herein for the washingaction, may be provided in case it is desired to secure predeterminedconditions of rinse.

In certain washing machines it is desired to have the motor and pumpoperate in a substantially continuous manner, with the control of thewashing operation dependent upon manual operation of a control lever. Inorder to secure the washing operation under the predetermined controlledconditions described, means are provided in accordance with the presentinvention to establish the desired conditions of operation. Thetemperature of the wash water is controlled by a suitable means forsupplying heat, such as a steam regulator indicated generally at 50,having connection with a steam line 5|, and being under the control of athermostat 52 extending into the sump l5, to control the supply of steamthrough valve and supply line 53, in accordance with the temperaturecondition to be maintained within the wash water. For example,successful results have been secured utilizing a steam regulator of thischaracter adjusted to maintain a temperature condition within the washwater of approximately 170 F.

In order to prevent operation of the washing machine except under adesired temperature condition. means are provided for requiring that thewash water be maintained at some desired temperature condition in orderfor the machine to be operable in its normal washing operation. Suchmeans is conveniently located in the control circuit for the pump motorl1. Such motor is provided with a control box 55 containing a pushbutton switch 56 for starting the motor operation and push button switch51 for stopping the operation when desired. A thermostat 58 is arrangedto be responsive to the temperature condition of the wash water and isconnected in circuit with relay 59 which provides for control of circuitto motor l1. As shown in Fig. for example the push button circuit may beso arranged that operation of the start button 56 will cause theoperation of relay 59 and the closing of its two sets of contacts,regardless of the temperature condition of the water. Provided howeverthe temperature condition has reached the desired minimum, thermostaticrelay 66 will close its contacts, thus establishing a holding circuitfor relay 59 so that the energization of the relay will be continuedafter release of push button 56, and until operation of stop button 51.Such arrangement is usually preferred to permit of direct manual controlof the pump motor when required for test or adjustment purposes or thelike. It will be evident that unless the thermostatic switch 58 isclosed relay 56 will be released and the pump motor I! stopped, as soonas push button 56 is released, and for practical operating purposestherefore this arrangement requires the establishment of the desiredminimum temperature condition before the normal washing operation can beconducted. If desired, the thermostat switch may be located directly incircuit with switch 56 and relay 59 so that under no circumstances canthe relay be energized and the motor operated unless the temperatureresponsive switch 56 has closed.

Means are likewise provided for securing the continuance of the washingoperation for the period of time which has been determined to bedesirable under the particular conditions of use and preventing removalof the washed articles from the washing zone until the desired effectivewashing action has been secured. The control means for securing thisresult is preferably located in control compartment 60 which may bemounted upon the top part of the housing of the device, having aremovable cover 6| permitting access to the interior of the compartment.Within the compartment there is provided a timing device which iseffective to maintain the mechanism in washing condition for thepredetermined period of time. In the embodiment illustrated, the controlhandle shaft 26 extends upwardly into the compartment 60, and is thereprovided with a link 62 having pivotal connection with arod 63 whichcarries nut 64 upon the end thereof. The end of the rod is receivedwithin a hollow portion of link 65, the nut 64 being adapted to bearagainst an apertured end portion 65a therein to permit of overrunningmovement of rod 63 with respect to link 65. The link is connected to theoperating portion of a switch device 66, and resilient means 6! providesfor yieldable extension of the rodthrough the end portion 65a, in onedirection, while providing for positively operating the link 65 in theother direction of movement.

A timing device or relay, indicated generally at 10 is also posittionedwithin the compartment, this device being of suitable construction toprovide for the closing of a circuit, in response to actuation of switch66, for a predetermined period of time, and to open such circuit onlyafter such predetermined interval. Preferably the device is soconstructed as to have a variable time operation, so that it can beadjusted to operate with the particular time period desired for theparticular conditions of use. While various forms of time delay deviceare usable, it is preferred to utilize a time relay incorporating asubstantially constant speed motor for controlling the time during whichthe circuit is maintalned closed, and for automatically resetting itselffor'subsequent operation. A suitable device of this character is thatdescribed in Goff Patents 2,037,572 and 2,071,202 the timing period ofwhich may be regulated to provide for a time delay of any desired range;for the present purposes it has been found desirable to use a timingdevice having a variable time range of from a small fraction of a minuteto a number of minutes.

The circuit controlled by such time delay device includes a switch meansII which is closed immediately in response to the closing of theenergizing circuit through switch 66, this operation starting therunning of the timing period. During such period the switch II in thecontrolled circuit remains closed, and is opened only at the terminationof the period. Switch H upon closing provides a circuit from the linefor energizing a solenoid 12. The solenoid has a plunger 13 which isconnected through linkage 14 with a locking pin I5 adapted to be movedupon energizatlon of the solenoid, into the range of movement of thelever 62 to lock it in position. As will be evident from Figs. 4 and 5,when control lever 25 is moved into the wash position, rod 63 effectsthe closing of switch 66. thereby beginning the operation of the timerelay l0. Immediately upon operation, such relay energizes solenoid 12,which pulls in its plunger, causing pin 15 to move into the path ofoperation of the lever.

62. In such position the lever 62 and control arm 25 cannot be movedaway from the wash position and switch 66 can not be opened to effectdeenergization of timing device 10. During this period the washingoperation continues uninterruptedly, and upon the termination of thepredetermined period, the solenoid I2 is deenergized, and resilientmeans 16 causes retraction of pin 15, making it possible for theoperator to manually return control handle 25 to neutral position.Return of control handle 25 to neutral positionefl'ects opening ofswitch 66 in the circuit of the timing device, which is then reset incondition for a subsequent cycle of operation.

. In order to indicate the condition of the machine to the operator, ajewel 11 is positioned in plainly visible location upon the compartment,and is arranged to be illuminated by light source 18 which is likewisecontrolled in the same circuit with solenoid 12. Thus upon theinitiation of the washing operation the jewel 11 is caused to beilluminated, and the operator knows that until the termination of suchillumination it is impossible to move control handle 25 to neutral toeffect the termination of the washing operation and removal of thecarrier tray containing the washed articles.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a somewhat modified arrangement, applicable toa washing machine in which interlock mechanism for interlocking thedoors is not utilized or required. In such arrangement the control ofthe washing operation is secured by the starting and stopping of thepump motor, and in accordance with this invention the washing operationis correspondingly made to be dependent upon controlled time andtemperature conditions of wash. Thus the motor 8!] driving the pump isarranged to be controlled the relay under the action of the startbutton, a temperature responsive switch 86 being located in the holdingcircuit to provide for holding the relay in operated condition only whenthe temperature of the washing liquid is within the predetermineddesired range. The time relay device 81 has a control circuit 88connected across the motor 80, so that such control circuit is energizedupon the energization of the motor. In response to such energization,the relay closes its control switch 89, which is connected in parallelwith, or as a by-pass to, stop button 83. This provides for shunting thestop button circuit for a predetermined period of time as determined bythe setting of the adjustable time relay. During this interval,following the starting of the pump motor, operation of stop button 83has no effect upon the motor operation as the circuit to relay 8| ismaintained through switch 89. Following the termination of thepredetermined time period, relay device 8! effects the opening of switch89, which thereupon restores control of the motor operation to stopbutton 83. The motor operation continues, and at any time thereafteroperation of stop button 83 will effect the deenergization of relay 8|,and the consequent stopping of the motor, thereby restoring the systemto its initial condition, in preparation for a subsequent cycle ofoperations. With this arrangement motor operation is possible, in thenormal washing condition, only provided the temperature of the washwater is within a predetermined range, and the operation with such waterof controlled temperature is continued for a predetermined period oftime. As before, the thermostatic switch 86 may be located in the mainenergizing circuit to relay 8| to prevent the closing thereof, evenunder manual operation, except when the desired temperature condition ismaintained.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferredembodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes maybe made therein without departing from the scope of the invention whichis defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A washing machine of the character described comprising a washingcompartment into which articles are placed and removed at the will ofthe operator, means for supplying washing fluid to thearticlespositioned within said compartment, and means requiring theestablishment of predetermined controlled conditions of temperature ofwashing fluid and of duration of the period of supply thereof withinsaid compartment to secure an effective and complete washing operation.upon the articles, before their removal from the compartment, andmanually operable means providing for stopping said washing actionimmediately following the timed washing operation for removal of thewashed articles from said washing compartment and replacement thereof byother articles to be washed.

2. A washing machine of the character described comprising a washingcompartment for receiving articles to be washed, means for supplyingwashing fluid to such articles in the compartment to subject sucharticles to a washing operation, and means for insuring effective andsterile washing thereof including means for conducting the washingoperation only when the temperature of said washing fluid is above apredetermined value, manually operable means for terminating the washingoperation, and means preventing operation of said manually operablemeans to terminate the washing operation until after a predeterminedminimum period of washing.

3. A washing machine of the character described adapted to wash articlescomprising a compartment for receiving articles to be washed, means forsupplying washing fluid to such articles to subject such articles to awashing operation, manually operable control means for starting andstopping the operation of said supply means, and means for insuringeffective and sterile washing of said articles including means formaintaining said supply means in operation for a predetermined minimumperiod of time and for restoring control of the supply means to saidmanual control means after said time period, and means for preventingremoval of the articles from said com predetermined desired values,means preventing removal of articles from said washing compartmentduring the washing operation, and means for continuing the washingoperation for a predetermined minimum period of operation.

5. A washing machine of the character described comprising a washingcompartment adapted to receive articles to be washed, doors providingaccess to said compartment, means for supplying was-hing fluid to thearticles within the compartment, a manually operable control lever forcontrolling operation of said supplying means,

interlock means cooperating with said control providing access to saidcompartment, means for supplying washing fluid to the articles withinthe compartment, a manually operable control lever for controlling thesupply of washing fluid to said compartment, interlock means cooperatingwith said control lever and said doors to prevent actuation of saidsupply means when said doors are in other than closed position, andmeans associated with said control lever for preventing return thereofto off position for a predetermined time interval following actuation ofthe control lever to effect operation of, the washing fluid supplymeans.

'7. A washing machine of the character described comprising a washingcompartment adapted to receive articles to be washed, doors providingaccess to said compartment, means for supplying washing fluid to thearticles within the compartment, a manually operable control lever forcontrolling the supply of washing fluid to said compartment, interlockmeans cooperating with said control lever and said doors to preventactuation of said supply means when said doors are in other than closedposition and to prevent opening of said doors during a washingoperation, and means associated with said control lever for preventingreturn thereof to off position for a predetermined time intervalfollowing actuation of the control lever to efiect operation of thewashing fluid supply means.

8. A washing machine of the character described comprising a washingcompartment adapted to receive articles to be washed, pump means forsupplying washing fluid to said compartment, control means for said pumpmeans for effecting operation thereof only when said fluid is above apredetermined temperature, and means efl'ecting continued operation ofsaid pump means to supply washing fluid to said articles within thecompartment for a predetermined period of time to secure a desired andeflective washing operation thereof as a minimum washing period, andmanual means effective after said predetermined minimum period to causetermination of the supply of washing fluid into said washingcompartment.

9. A washing machine of the character described having a washingcompartment adapted to receive articles to be washed, means forsunplying washing fluid to said articles, means for controlling saidsupplying means to cause the supplying of such washing fluid only whenthe temperature condition thereof corresponds with I predetermineddesired values, rinse means for rinsing the dishes within saidcompartment, means preventing removal of the articles from said washingcompartment during washing or rinsing operations, and means forcontinuing the washing operation for a predetermined minimum period ofoperation. c

10. A washing machine of the character described comprising acompartment for receiving articles to be washed, means for supplyingwashing fluid to said articles in the compartment, manually operablemeans for starting and stopping the operation of said supply means,means preventing starting of said supply means under control of saidmanually operable means except when the temperature of said washingfluid is I above a predetermined minimum, and means pretion for apredetermined minimum period of time to secure predetermined minimumconditions of time and temperature of wash of said articles.

12. A washing machine of the character described comprising a washingcompartment, means therein for receiving articles to be washed, thearticles being placed within the compartment before the beginning ofthe-washing operation and being removable from the compartment followingthe washing operation in preparation for receivingother articles to bewashed, means for washing the articles while in said compartment bysupplying washing fluid thereto, control means actuable to causeoperation of said washing means, means cooperating with said controlmeans to prevent operation of said washing means except when thetemperature of said fluid is within a predetermined range, and means formaintaining the washing means in operation for a predetermined minimumperiod of time and for restoring control of the operation of saidwashing means to said control means after said time period.

THOMAS F. RATAICZAK.

GERALD B. FOX.

